The Emperor and Empress of Japan received a ceremonial welcome as their state visit began on Tuesday.
The King and Queen greeted their guests on Horse Guards Parade, where some of the nation’s most prestigious regiments were on display.
The Prince of Wales had escorted the emperor and empress from their overnight residence.
![The King, holding his hat, smiles as he chats to Camilla](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/1abd57d579cc70bd617dd587fc3ae92bY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzE5NDA2NjQ1/2.76649368.jpg?w=640)
![The Prince of Wales greets Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako of Japan](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/155ee3a7333fc34dae7d3c211e868d2aY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzE5NDA1MzUw/2.76648481.jpg?w=640)
![Soldiers lined up in red uniforms and bearskin hats](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/b17ea563c031248f5f36978093819a4fY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzE5NDA2MDUz/2.76649248.jpg?w=640)
The three-day state visit comes in the midst of a General Election.
The emperor inspected the guard of honour, accompanied by the King, who walked a few paces behind his guest.
![Home Secretary James Cleverly, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron chat near soldiers at Horse Guards Parade](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/e8b260088ba6e9f872daad05c0e71e05Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzE5NDA2NTE3/2.76648854.jpg?w=640)
![Prime Minister Rishi Sunak laughs as he chats to Queen Camilla](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/e0605ecbce1e5d24d3385bf339701d77Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzE5NDA3ODM1/2.76649450.jpg?w=640)
![The King follows behind as Emperor Naruhito inspects soldiers in red uniforms and bearskin hats](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/9d890d332cbc5f98ff9a50cb8beb9f9cY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzE5NDA2MzA2/2.76648663.jpg?w=640)
![Charles chats to Emperor Naruhito after inspecting the Guard of Honour from members of the Welsh Guards](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/14bc96227529d0ad8c5938172531440eY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzE5NDA3NDg4/2.76648601.jpg?w=640)
At the end of the welcome ceremony was the traditional carriage procession to Buckingham Palace for a private lunch.
The two heads of state sat together in the lead coach, followed by Camilla and the empress, who has an allergy to horse hair and as a precaution wore a face mask.
![Charles and Emperor Naruhito chat as they travel in a carriage to Buckingham Palace](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/72e361cef9a4d103bb6f394b7385db5eY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzE5NDA1Njkx/2.76648831.jpg?w=640)
![The Queen travelling in a carriage with Empress Masako of Japan, who was wearing a face mask](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/cf3e4403a9b48ca849e4153a61a01ea1Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzE5NDA1Nzc2/2.76649250.jpg?w=640)
![Members of the Band of the Grenadier Guards march outside Buckingham Palace](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/5606342ebe819f2904d89552ebfda39dY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzE5NDA2NDQ0/2.76648495.jpg?w=640)
![Camilla, wearing a white dress and hat, waves during the procession to the palace](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/31bf3f47aadfcc5bbb35e00a91265241Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzE5NDA2MTg1/2.76649043.jpg?w=640)
![Foot Guards of the Household Division can be seen through a window as they line up at Buckingham Palace](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/530b2b3796e1c607c6e9277df5af95baY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzE5NDA2NzUy/2.76648389.jpg?w=640)
![The King and Emperor Naruhito are seen smiling as they arrive at Buckingham Palace](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/025643b11a05d3ebf8b924ee2df71610Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzE5NDA1NTg2/2.76648694.jpg?w=640)
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